Do you keep sporting goods inside the condo our outside?

[dubplate]

Hi everyone,

Keen for some advice, may be a silly question.....but here goes....

I have some sporting goods, decent bike (cost over 2k), golf clubs, tennis rackets, etc. All good equipment.

I think to maintain and prolong their condition I should keep them inside the condo, where we control the temperature, humidity etc.

I think leaving my bike and golf clubs outside (safe and under cover) will lead to my sporting equipment rusting and decaying quicker.

keen for some feedback, what does everyone else do?

1. keep sporting goods inside - but basically have a cluttered condo?
2. keep all this equipment outside/maids room etc - maybe use a dehumidifier?
3. just leave it outside (safe and undercover) but exposed to temperature and humidity and accept that things deteriorate quicker in Singapore
4. other ideas?

Thanks

[sundaymorningstaple]

Unless you plan on donating them to somebody for free don't leave them outside. If the rust & humidity don't get 'em somebody else will steal 'em. condo or otherwise.

[dubplate]

Hi sundaymorning,

thanks - no, we have a secure spot so that's not the issue.

we have a maids room I can use for storage, just wondering if i should buy a dehumidifier, or am I overprotective of my sporting gear and worrying unnecessarily about humidity damage?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Nope. You have every reason to worry. The humidity here is bad news. Hopefully you have brought over any leather goods like expensive leather jackets as you will need to store them in a dry closet or use dehumidifiers or spend a fortune in Hungry Hippos (moisture condensers).I find a light coating of something like WD40 works well on bicycles and golf shafts, etc. but you will have to obviously clean 'em off before using them.

[the lynx]

I agree with SMS. Never keep your sporting gear outside. The dehumidifier bit is a valid move. I actually keep my kickboards, racquets and my instruments stashed with silica gel bags.

[dubplate]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Are either of you using a dehumidifier?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Nah, too much trouble. That and I don't have aircon either, just use ceiling fans so I need open ventilation, that's why I use the methods I use.

[the lynx]

I use Thirsty Hippo dehumidifier in the closet where I keep my guitar, drumsticks, kickboards and racquets.

Inside the individual cases (hard cases, soft cases) I throw in those silica gel. For some reason, I have humidity issue in my area.

[rajagainstthemachine]

my belt was eaten away by mold in 3 days i've never been so mortified in my life.
dehumidifiers are expensive though. I saw some in the DIY store the other day.
but yes silica gel bags are what I am used to now.

[Strong Eagle]

my belt was eaten away by mold in 3 days i've never been so mortified in my life.

Were you wearing it at the time?

[nakatago]

You can get jars of silica gel beads from photography supplies stores (e.g. Challenger, Alan Photo). Around 7 bucks, I think. They were 3.50 in Carrefour when they were still around!

They're dark blue beads that gradually turn pink as they absorb moisture. You can reactivate them by microwaving them for > 3 minutes (depends on amount) or putting them in the oven. This boils away the moisture they've absorbed. You can tell they're good to go again when the beads are a nice, deep shade blue of again.

[Girl_Next_Door]

How often do you cycle? In most condo, there is always an area near the parking area for you to park your bicycle. If you use your bicycle often, you might want to consider parking your bike in the carpark.

For the rest, I would propose for you to keep in the storeroom, but have shelves drilled higher up on the wall, so that they dont create more clutter. You should also assess if your place is a relatively new place or old place. Older apartments tend to be a little more problematic, including creating moldy problems.

In general, I feel that if I leave a thirsty hippo and change it every month, it works. One of my friends travels a great deal (sometimes for a month or two). Once, he came back and noticed that the corner of his apartment is molding. Subsequently, before he travels, he always leave the air-con on at low temperature (about 27-28 degrees). It seems to keep the molds away (even when he is gone for 3 months!) and the electrical bill was not shockingly high.

Food for thoughts.

[QRM]

my belt was eaten away by mold in 3 days i've never been so mortified in my life.
dehumidifiers are expensive though. I saw some in the DIY store the other day.
but yes silica gel bags are what I am used to now.

Having just paid a $1000+ laundry bill to try and save all our winter clothes, a $700 dehumidifier seems like a bargain.

Never had a problem in a condo ( we always had the aircon on ) just moved to a house and that long period of damp weather over the CNY caused havoc! Sofa, golf club bags etc. all mouldy.

I am chucking out 32 litres a day from the dehumidifier, it even cleared that musty smell. Just wondering if it works out more expensive to just leave the central aircon unit running in the dehumidify mode?

[rajagainstthemachine]

I use Thirsty Hippo dehumidifier in the closet where I keep my guitar, drumsticks, kickboards and racquets.

Inside the individual cases (hard cases, soft cases) I throw in those silica gel. For some reason, I have humidity issue in my area.

Looks like I need a couple of thirsty hippos, how much do they cost ?
also what band do you play in?

[the lynx]

I use Thirsty Hippo dehumidifier in the closet where I keep my guitar, drumsticks, kickboards and racquets.

Inside the individual cases (hard cases, soft cases) I throw in those silica gel. For some reason, I have humidity issue in my area.

Looks like I need a couple of thirsty hippos, how much do they cost ?
also what band do you play in?

Cheap. I think in promotions they come in boxes of 6 for $17. One unit is about 140g which can last for few weeks or less.

And no, no band. Just jamming with friends/colleagues, doing cover songs. And church.